DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said he has never questioned the king’s prerogative to dissolve parliament and criticised only Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob for being “inconsistent” about when the 15th general election (GE15) will be held.

“I have never disputed that the power to dissolve parliament lies with the king, as stipulated in the Federal Constitution,” he wrote on Facebook.

“I deny ever asking the prime minister to announce the date of the dissolution of parliament, (but instead) was questioning him over his inconsistency about when the GE will be held.”

His statement comes after Ismail Sabri said only the Yang di-Pertuan Agong can decide on the dissolution of parliament and the prime minister can only advise the king on the matter.

Ismail Sabri was responding to Loke, who earlier accused the former of being inconsistent about calling for GE15.

“This ‘flip-flop’ statement is probably due to them (DAP) not knowing when I intend to hold GE15.

“If you look at the statements of previous prime ministers, did they set the election dates?

“If you had asked Dr Mahathir Mohamad (then), he would answer by saying he has yet to get any inspiration.

“As such, I cannot give a specific date. If I did, I would be pre-empting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and this is against the constitution.

“DAP, perhaps, has the attitude of not respecting the Agong, but I do and abide by the constitution.”

Loke said Umno is blaming DAP for its own internal conflict, adding that Ismail Sabri’s comment is actually meant for his Umno colleagues.

“Umno is the one who is pressuring the prime minister to dissolve parliament, but DAP is being blamed.

“Ismail Sabri’s comment is meant for Umno. He cannot say his party members do not respect the king, so DAP is made a victim in their internal conflict.” – June 6, 2022.